Jacksonville Public Library Blog

Banned Books Week. Why do libraries celebrate it every year? It's about the freedom to read. Every American has the right to read what he or she wants to. In this day and age, censorship can run down a slippery slope. In other words, if one book is banned, why not another? And another? Soon, banning books and other forms of censorship would run amok in our society. The rights guaranteed to us under the 1st Amendment are part of what makes America great.

It’s 2018 and you are ready. Ready to make a change, and ready to do your best. While you are still trying to remember to write 2018 instead of 2017, let us be a partner in helping you to achieve your new goals this year!

Whether you have resolved to learn a new language, start a business, learn to code, read more etc., we have the resources you need to succeed. Below are some of the most popular resolutions - and how your local branch can help you stick to it!

Below, you'll find just a sample of the positive feedback we've received from our customers and visitors. Young and old, from all corners of Jacksonville and from many nations around the world--our customers rely on us as a vital community resource. Click here to discover more about our value in your home and take a moment to tell us why we matter to you. Then, contact your City Council member to let him or her know just how much you value your library!

“Never let up,” Mira Nair told Nadia Ramoutar a fellow filmmaker located in Saint Augustine. These words ring in Ramoutar’s ears as she gets closer and closer to finding representation for "It’s Huge," a documentary she recently completed. “It’s a long journey from film to screen,” Ramoutar said and after talking with Nair she "feels less daunting.”

Hello, I wanted to share a short message of introduction to let you know how excited I am to be joining the Jacksonville Public Library team. As you can imagine, my wife Carla and I have been pretty busy over the past month celebrating the holidays with family and prepping for our new life in North Florida. We found a place to live on the Southside, got our Florida driver’s licenses and car tags, and most importantly, went to our new home branch, Southeast Regional, to register for library cards. We are officially Jaxsons (or Jacksonvillians, if you prefer)!

Just a reminder: There's still time to click over to the City of Jacksonville website and take part in their Public Libraries Survey. Your feedback will help the mayor and his staff prepare a suggested budget for the incoming city administration. By letting city officials know how important the Jacksonville Public Library is to you and your community, you can help make adequate library funding a priority in the City's budget!

It’s National Library Week! This week, we celebrate the contributions of our library and librarians—and the importance of libraries nationwide. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and local libraries throughout the nation each April.

Thank you for the incredible response to the recent survey about the impact of the budget cuts proposed for the library. Nearly 4,000 people completed the survey and 1240 people included additional comments. We are grateful for your participation and support!